Fading Starlight

Reverse pointed to Path. At this point he'd decided he was most comfortable with Path out of the entire group.
Riding with Blueshade was just a disaster waiting to happen. Try to do a stunt, fail, out he tumbles.

"Hm." Path thought for a minute how he'd carry the smaller bot. "How about you transform. I should be able to fit you somewhere.

Blueshade was already revving his engine. Tarmac transformed, his huge white vehicle mode towering above the others. He was probably large enough to backpack Blueshade if he had to.

He nodded, and transformed into a small rectangle that could easily be picked up with a single hand.

Helixon and Altrock transformed, Helixon circling around above while Altrock transformed into a truck that was somewhere in between Blueshade and Tarmac.

Path picked him up and transformed, fitting the small cassette into a compartment in his chest. He shifted into a long, sleek hover vehicle. His rifle fit neatly against his side. He took up the rear as Tarmac put it in gear and led the way towards their destination.

"Why are we going this way!" Blueshade said, bumping over the uneven terrain as he tried to go faster than the others.

"We're not taking the road," Tarmac said, "I've got a feeling we'll have unwanted company that way."

Helixon did loop-de-loops above them.

"That's your fault you chose an alt mode that can't handle this terrain." Altrock said from in front of Blueshade.

"I can handle it just fine!" He raised himself off the ground slightly, adapting to fit the landscape. It was his speed that was the issue. He wanted to move fast, but he couldn't without hitting things.

"Helixon! Stop doing acrobatics and do your job. Keep an eye on the sky. Scan for enemies while you're at it."

Path was quiet.

"Doesn't look that way to me." Altrock snorted.

"You think I'm just doing fancy moves? I'm wounded." He started zig zagging.

As was Reverse.

"If you're hurt then land! Primus, next time I say "we're moving out," let a bot know you're dying first!" Tarmac skidded to a stop. "I'm surrounded by idiots..."

"That was a figure of speech! I'm not stupid enough for that." Helixon snickered.

Tarmac sighed. It was a waste of energon arguing with him. Best to ignore his foolishness. He kept moving.

They drove on for some time, eventually the members of the crew settling down. Path didn't say much, he just followed behind making sure the group stayed together. The hours drug on. They still had a ways to go to reach Nova station when the sun began to sink in the horizon. Blueshade seemed more nervous the darker it got.

"I don't think we're gonna make it to the station before dark." He said worriedly.

Helixon had stopped doing his aerobatics, and flew low.

Altrock was quiet for most of it. "I dunno, what'd'ya think boss?"

Reverse had been counting the seconds the entire time.

"A little farther. Scans pick up a cave. We can hide there. We'll be invisible to radar there."

"I don't like it...I don't like them..." Blueshade sped in closer to Altrock and hid in his shadow.

"Hey, personal space here buddy. If they're going after you I don't want to be in the way." Altrock moved away.

Helixon flew up further in the group.

"They're not coming after me. You're bigger, they'll probably eat you first!" Blue backed up next to Path, who didn't correct him.

"Tight formation." Tarmac said. "They won't bother us if we stick together. Cave's not far off, we'll hold up there for the night."

"They like picking up the little bots first. Easier to carry away." Helixon snickered. "You're the smallest available one here at the moment."